Friday 29 October 2021
 Firstly, I know that many people were horrified to hear that two local boys were tragically killed in Brentwood last weekend. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family and friends of the teenagers who lost their lives. Havering Council is supporting the boys' families.
As schools return from the half-term break, support is also being offered to pupils and school staff to help them at this very difficult time.
In the meantime, we’ll continue to work closely with the Police and other organisations to tackle crime, support young people, and help to keep all residents safe.
In my message in last Friday's edition of this newsletter I praised the work of volunteers who are continuing to help the NHS deliver the all-important COVID-19 vaccination programme for Havering residents.
It is therefore disappointing to learn this week from the Havering Volunteer Centre that a number of these volunteers at both Raphael’s House in Romford and Hornchurch Library have experienced verbal abuse.
This is unpleasant and also negatively impacts the time freely given by volunteers to ensure a smooth delivery of the vaccination service.
Both sites (details below) operate a booked appointment and a walk-in service which at busy times can create a longer than usual wait time.
The wonderful volunteers are there to welcome residents to the sites and ensure everyone is directed to the right place at the right time, all of which is done with a smile no matter the weather.
If you are due to attend either of these centres in the coming weeks please do not abuse any of the volunteers - even if you have to queue for a while for your jab. Each site has a lead person who will be more than happy to assist with anything that may concern you.
Let’s keep the volunteers smiling and thank them for the thousands of hours of dedicated work.
Lastly, I know that many children will be looking forward to going trick or treating this weekend and enjoying bonfire night celebrations next week. Please take care at these events. With the clocks going back on Sunday morning it will be dark very early on Sunday afternoon.
Read the advice below on going out trick or treating and remember that unfortunately COVID-19 infection rates are rising at the moment in Havering. Therefore please take extra precautions to avoid catching or spreading the coronavirus.
If you can, avoid meeting indoors and wear face coverings if you are gathering in confined spaces.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Havering Council is joining the London Fire Brigade and Police in offering advice to children and parents to help them stay safe while trick or treating over this Halloween weekend.
Parents are being urged to make sure that younger children are always accompanied by an adult and to plan a route for older children, with a set time for them to return.
Advice from our community safety team along with the London Fire Brigade and Police, includes:
- Trick or treating is better in a group. Try not to go out alone.
- Take a torch or glow stick with you.
- Make sure your costumes have flame-resistant labels.
- Plan a safe route that is well-lit and stick to it.
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Havering Council has launched a new COVID-safe shop window scheme for local businesses, giving residents the confidence to shop safely in the run-up to Christmas.
The Let’s be safe together scheme, which is free to join, will reassure customers that a business is going above and beyond to ensure it follows government guidance to avoid spreading COVID-19.
As part of the scheme, businesses will make a pledge to keep up COVID-safe measures, such as regular cleaning, decent ventilation and mask wearing for staff that are not exempt.
These pledges and measures will be assessed and regularly reviewed by the Council’s community protection teams.
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Young people between 12-15 years of age are now eligible to receive a single COVID-19 vaccine.
Parents or guardians of children aged 12-15 attending school will receive letters from Vaccination UK (the organisation who provide vaccinations in schools across north east London) with information about the vaccine, when the vaccination will be available, and asking for parental consent.
Vaccines for this age group are also available at local vaccination centres, with sessions being made available all the time. Find out where and how to book.
King George Hospital's Vaccination Hub is offering walk-ins for 12-15 year olds today (Friday) until 5pm, and over this weekend: 8.30am to 6.30pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Raphael House in Romford has a walk-in session available tomorrow, (Saturday 30 October) between 1 and 4.30pm.
At present, one dose of the vaccine will be offered to most children in this age group. However, children in this age group who are clinically extremely vulnerable, or live with someone who is immunosuppressed, will be offered two doses and will be contacted by their GP to arrange this.
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 People over 50s, people in care homes, frontline health and social care workers, and vulnerable people aged between 16 and 49 are among those who are now being offered a third, or booster dose, of a COVID-19 vaccination.
At least six months must have passed since a second jab was given.
See the banners above and below for details of walk-in booster jab centres in Romford and Hornchurch that are open today and this weekend.
For other vaccination sites you can book a jab online.
If you receive a text message like the one shown, ignore it.
It is a scam from criminals conning people into paying for a COVID-19 test.
The NHS does not charge for any testing so if you receive any text, email or phone call claiming to be from the NHS that says you need to book and pay for any sort of COVID-19 testing, ignore it.
If it's a phone call put the phone down. If it's a text, delete it, or report it to Ofcom by forwarding the text to 7726.
If you do that, you may get an automated response thanking you for the report and giving you further instructions if needed. You will not be charged for sending texts to 7726.
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In addition to the Romford Christmas lights switch-on event on 18 November (details later in this newsletter), Harold Hill will also have its Christmas lights switched on at 5pm on Saturday 4 December.
Now in its thrid year the Harold Hill light switch-on event will see Father Christmas in his grotto, music, entertainment from local dance groups, face painting, a Christmas market, food and more.
All of this takes place at the Harold Hill Shopping Centre.
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 At the Community Hubs you can get housing advice and support, speak to local Police about any concerns you may have, along with free refreshments and activities for children.
 As this year's Black History Month draws to a close our final item in this newsletter is a poem written by Jenny Appleby, the daughter of a Havering Council employee who works at the Avelon Road Centre for adults with learning disabilities.
Black history month I hear you say
What facts and figures will come our way?
It is time to move away from being stereotypical
For harmony to be achieved, this will be critical.
I cannot change all the wrongs of the past
My only wish, is for prejudice not to last;
Role models, be proud, and use your voice
Like Raheem Sterling when he was left with no choice.
History is all around us and I am here for a chat
If you are unsure, and want to know why I said that;
Knowledge is power and education is key
I am happy to share with you my pride and identity.
Black history month, what does that mean to me
Positive thoughts, hope, change and celebratory;
Things that make me wear my colour with pride
I will not sit back and be timid, nor will I hide.
Local hospitals are seeing an increase in children coming to hospital, and parents asking for advice on how to care for their unwell children.
During the last year, there has been a remarkable reduction in children with respiratory, stomach bugs and infections that cause high temperature (fever) as there are many young children who have never been exposed to many common viruses.
However, this also means that some parents have not seen their children with these symptoms before and do not know what to do, or when to worry.
As infections are likely to rise during the winter months it is vital that parents know how to manage common complaints, recognise severe symptoms that need treatment, and know what to do if they have concerns.
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Havering Council's Autumn Blitz of deep-cleaning activities across the whole borough, as part of its COVID-19 recovery plans, continues.
The campaign focuses on sprucing up Havering's streets.
Recent activity includes hedge trimming near Briscoe Road in Rainham (pictured).
This week the work has been concentrated in the Rainham and Brooklands parts of our borough.
Other work taking place includes weeding, grass cutting, and litter picking.
If you see fly-tips or other rubbish issues please report them using our website or the Love Havering app.
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Havering Council is currently consulting on putting a Street Trading policy in place.
Have you got a question for our licensing team about the new policy we’re consulting on?
If you are business or a resident, then join a special Question and Answer session on Wednesday (3 November).
The session will be held online using Zoom and will run from from 6 to 7.30pm.
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 To mark the COP26 climate summit next week, Langtons in Hornchurch is holding a ‘Down to Earth’ day on Tuesday 2 November.
There will be free autumn wreath making, and a chance to join a walk around the gardens and understand the bio-diversity and ecology of the land.If you are interested, go to the Greenhouse at Langtons for 11am. No booking required.
The Friends of Marshalls Park Academy are holding a fireworks display at the school on Thursday 4 November. Doors open at 6pm with the display beginning at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £5 for adults and £3 for those under 16 years old - if bought in advance via the Eventbrite website. Refreshments and food will also be on sale on the night.
A photographic group meets on the first Thursday of every month at 1.30pm at Havering Museum, 19-21 High Street, Romford.
This group is for people who love to take pictures, and gives an opportunity to learn from others. They also organise outings for day and night time photography and socials. It's just £5 to attend and you can book a place on the Museum's website or phone 01708 766571 (Wednesdays to Saturdays).
Havering Singers first post-COVID live performance is a selection of Choral Favourites including Mozart's Ave Verum, Handel's Zadok the Priest and Brahms' How Lovely are thy Dwellings.
This concert, at St Peter's Church, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0QA, on Saturday 6 November, is free of charge but ticketed to allow for safe COVID-19 measures. You can get tickets from their website or by calling 01708 341265.
The Havering Literary Festival 2021 kicks off on 10 November. Visit Havering Council's website for details of all the events planned.
You can join The Rod Stewart Songbook at the Brookside Theatre in Romford on Friday 12 November.
The show stars Pete McCall and a live band and the audience will be taken on a musical journey spanning 50 years, with the music of an artist who has sold over 250 million records worldwide.
To book tickets telephone the Brookside Theatre Box Office on 01708 755775 or book online.
Havering Concert Orchestra are holding a Belated Happy Birthday Beethoven concert on Saturday 20 November at 7.30pm. The venue will be Frances Bardsley Academy, Brentwood Road, Romford RM1 2RR.
Tickets are £10 in advance. You can get more information on their website.
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Gas main replacement work is being carried out in Wingletye Lane at its junction with Wych Elm Road. This works is due to be completed on Sunday (31 October).
Similar work will also be carried out in Bridge Avenue at its junction with Brookdale Avenue near Upminster Bridge station from 1 to 14 November.
The A1306 bridge over the A13 at the Wennington Interchange is closed for inspection work. A diversion route will be signposted. This work is expected to be complete by 5 November.
Resurfacing works will take place in Orange Tree Hill in Havering-atte-Bower on 1 and 2 November. The work will happen between 8am and 5pm on those days and during those times, the road will be closed to through traffic with a diversion in place.
Problems with a rattling manhole cover in the raised pedestrian crossing outside The Liberty Shopping Centre in Western Road, Romford, will be addressed with work that will begin on Monday 1 November and should be complete by Wednesday 3 November.
For the duration of the works buses heading towards Romford station will be diverted into Grimshaw Way, Slaney Road, Chandlers Way, and Eastern Road back on to their route. Buses heading away from Romford station will be diverted via Victoria Road and Mercury Gardens back on to their route.
Cadent Gas will be working on pipes in St Mary's Lane, Upminster at its junction with Upminster Road, from 1 to 12 November. Temporary traffic lights will be in use.
North Street, Hornchurch will be closed in a northbound direction on the night of Monday 1 November from 7.30pm, between Theatre Road and Butts Green Road. This is to enable a high friction safety surface to be applied to the road on the approach to a zebra crossing.
Rush Green Road will be closed in an eastbound direction between Rush Green Gardens and Dagenham Road overnights between 4 and 6 November between 7.30pm and 6am, for resurfacing work. A diversion will be in place during the work.
Upminster Road North will have temporary traffic signals by the junction with Lambs Lane North on the night of 2 November to enable a new safety surface to be applied to the road on the approaches to a pedestrian crossing.
Carriageway patching work by Marlborough Highways will be taking place outside 62 and 64 Hacton Lane, Hornchurch, from 2 to 4 November. Temporary traffic signals will be used during the work. Similar work will also be carried out by Marlborough Highways in Rainham Road at its junction with Ford Lane, Rainham, from 2 to 4 November.
Cadent Gas will also be working outside Romford Rugby Club in Crow Lane, Romford, from 15 to 19 November.
On the tracks
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Due to Network Rail undertaking engineering work in the Southend area c2c train services on the Ockendon line will start and terminate at Pitsea this weekend (30 and 31 October).
Passengers for stations between Benfleet and Shoeburyness should change at Pitsea for onward services.
Rail replacement buses will run between Leigh-on-Sea & Shoeburyness.
Rainham line trains will not be running on Sunday 17 October due to Network Rail's overhead line work between Barking and Grays. Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
District line tube trains will not stop at Whitechapel station this weekend (30 and 31 October). Change at Aldgate East and use local bus routes 25, 205 or 254. Alternatively, exit at Stepney Green and use local bus routes 25 or 205.
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